Monthly Archive: June 2009

30

For those of you in NYC, or who happen to enjoy following the daily workings of a completely disfunctional government, you may be aware that the New York State senate is in disarray. Way back on June 8 two senators switched from the Democratic caucus to the Republican one, and elected a new Senate President. The Democrats claim it wasn’t a proper vote and so doesn’t count; since then one of the original defectors has gone back to the Democratic side, leaving a 31-31 split.

One point of contention is the person they “elected” as the new Senate President is a total creep. He’s under investigation for not living in his district, he may have benefitted from illegal payments to a not-for-profit, etc. So the Democrats are refusing to recognize him as the leader (who, thanks to Gov. Spitzer resigning and our Lt. Gov being promoted up to Governor, would become Governor if something happened to Paterson), and every day for the past week or so the Governor has called a special session and either both sides have shown up and conducted their own sessions, or one side comes in at one time and the other at another.

It’s ridiculous. Either side needs just one person to jump ship; then they’ll have quorum and can vote on important things like using stimulus money, retaining mayoral control of NYC school, sales tax increases, and gay marriage.

That’s all prelude. The fun is below. Today, the Democrats believe they reached a quorum. Here’s why:

Shortly before noon, as the 31 Democrats were preparing to hold a regular session of the State Senate, Frank Padavan, a Queens Republican, set out to get a soda from the members’ private lounge, off the Senate chamber. Finding the outside hallway blocked by reporters, Mr. Padavan would later say, he took a shortcut across the Senate floor just as the Democrats were preparing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Because he was present on the floor, Democrats now claim, Mr. Padavan effectively “checked in” for the session, granting Democrats the 32-member quorum needed to conduct business. And with that, they began passing dozens of pieces of legislation, including bills like sales tax extensions and bond authorizations that were set to expire at midnight tonight.

The move has set off a new round of recriminations and debate in the State Capitol, with Democrats insisting the bills have been lawfully passed — and that Gov. David A. Paterson should now sign them — and angry Republicans denouncing the session as fraudulent and inappropriate. The two sides had already met earlier Tuesday for an extraordinary session called by Mr. Paterson, but adjourned without conducting any business.

“The only reason I went through the back of the chamber is because the front of it was blocked by all of you,” Mr. Padavan told reporters afterward. “I think it’s totally fraud, and they know it. It’s childish.”

While Mr. Padavan admitted that he had been in the chamber, he said that he could not be counted as part of the quorum because he had left before the pledge, which typically precedes Senate business. Both sides agreed that Mr. Padavan was not present for any of the actual voting.

Democrats insisted that Mr. Padavan, a 36-year veteran of the Senate, had gone through the chamber on purpose.

“Frank Padavan is a multi-decade veteran of the New York State Senate,” said Craig M. Johnson, a Long Island Democrat. “He knows the rules.”

(In a sworn affadavit distributed later to reporters, Mr. Padavan amended his story in only one respect: He said he had gone to the members’ lounge for a cup of coffee, not a Coke.)

While Democrats voted on the bills, Governor Paterson, holding a separate news conference, said he would not sign any of the bills the Senate passed on Tuesday afternoon, citing the uncertainty about whether Mr. Padavan could be counted toward the quorum.

With Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg appearing with him on a television screen, via satellite, Mr. Paterson implored the Republicans and Democrats to settle their differences and pass an extension of the law that gives the mayor control over the city school system before that law expires at midnight.

“Once again the do-nothing Senate has exceeded our greatest fears and contempt,” Mr. Paterson said. “The Senate again is in turmoil, now about whether people were in or out of the chamber.”

But matters may not be so simple. Most of the legislation that the Democrats claim to have passed in their session was first passed by the Assembly; under state law, the Assembly must now, in effect, accept those bills as legitimate before sending them up to the governor for his signature. Senate Democrats said that Assembly had so far declined to do so.

If the Assembly did accept the bills as legitimate, Mr. Paterson might be forced to either veto or sign them. Because the regular session ended earlier this month, Senate Democrats said, the governor can no longer veto bills simply by refusing to sign them.

With quorum in their eyes established, but no Republicans remaining on the Senate floor to object or demand a debate, Democrats quickly passed dozens of bills by unanimous consent. Because Mr. Padavan had been counted as present, but did not remain in the chamber to cast a nay vote, he was automatically counted as a yes vote.

Most well-debated items, like a bill to reauthorize mayoral control of New York City schools, were not on the list of bills for the session. But Democrats did hold a vote on a bill to increase the New York City sales tax; the bill failed, 19-13, with most Democrats voting against it and no Republicans on the floor to vote for it.

Mr. Paterson has called the Senate back into another extraordinary session for 7 o’clock tonight and said he would continue to call them into session through the Fourth of July holiday, if necessary.

Senate Republicans were irate at the Democrats’ move.

“I think this is a total joke and a disgrace to the institution,” said Dean G. Skelos, the Republican leader.

29

I’m getting caught up on my Daily Show episodes (now that I’m sans cable, I have to watch it online). Anyway, this great exchange.

Over video of the right wing member of the European parliament being shoved into his car, surrounded by fans:

Jon Stewart:

“In England the far-right British Nationalist party picked up their first two seats ever. Here we almost see their leader, Nick Griffin being mobbed, Beatlemania-style, by adoring fans. Let’s hear what they’re chanting”

Crowd in video:

“Nazi Scum. Nazi Scum”

Jon Stewart:

“Oh I remember that song. That was on the Beatles Really White Album.”

26

Huh. Weird. I was watching the evening news, and they mention he’d been taken to the hospital. Then, CNN sent out a few contradictory “breaking news” e-mails (some intern was fired, I’m sure). Then, confirmation that he was dead.

First off, I think the man had serious mental issues. And I believe it is entirely possible that he molested children. To not acknowledge that would be disingenuous.

I really enjoyed his music. He had a lot of talent. It’s weird when these people die early. Tonight I was having dinner with a old boyfriend, and we were discussing the fact that our first date took place the day Princess Diana died. Tonight was the last time we’ll probably see each other in NYC, and yet another world-famous person has died unexpectedly. Book ends, to a degree.

Is it wrong that one of my early thoughts was “huh, I hope this means Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and George’s widow can now buy back the Beatle’s catalogue from his estate.” That’s probably not such a cool place for my mind to go.

It’s sad.

It’s also really sad that Farrah Fawcet died, and today will now be known as the day Michael Jackson died. Although maybe it means her family will be left in peace for awhile. The poor Jackson family – they may be screwed up, but I feel for them both for their loss and because no one’s going to leave them alone for so long. Grief is hard enough; I can’t imagine doing it with cameras and the world watching.

25

Today work was busy-ish. I had a lot of meetings, but none too painful. I watched the live text on BBC of the Spain-USA match, and was sent a link so I could watch the last 10 minutes online. So good!

I really enjoy football (American and world), so these tournaments are a treat. And tonight I met up with a friend to watch the replay at Nevada Smith’s. The crowd was loud and happy and cheering along, which was so fun. I love those communal experiences.

I’m feeling a little off my game, though, and wonder if I’m getting sick. I hope not – I have a busy few days. I’m most excited to be going to hear jazz at The Carlyle Saturday night. It’s supposed to be a total throwback to another era, and you know how I love the 40s and any time period I can totally over-romanticize. Good times!

And don’t forget – Sunday is the Confederations Cup final, with USA and either Brazil or South Africa. 2:30 eastern. Go USA!